Jeremy Clarkson returns to BBC to finish what he started

Los Angeles - Jeremy Clarkson has returned to the BBC to help finish his last ever series of Top Gear.

The 55-year-old presenter was axed from the motoring show earlier this year after he punched a producer in a row over a steak but it's now been confirmed he was allowed to return in order to help finish the last series, which was cut short following the incident.

A BBC spokesperson said: "He has done the voice-over for Top Gear. He came in to the BBC the week before last.

"He didn't get paid to do it. Even though this happened after his contract was not renewed, it falls under his old contract.

"He is not banned from appearing on the BBC."

The unfinished material, which would have been spread across two episodes, will reportedly be packaged together into a one-off special which is expected to air in the next few weeks.

The episode will see Clarkson and his co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May - who have hinted they will not return to the show for the next series after their close pal was sacked - become "lifestyle leisure enthusiasts" as they're given a budget of £250 each to buy three used "lifestyle" SUVs to embark on a series of challenges.

The BBC's director general Tony Hall announced Jeremy's departure earlier this year after concluding that the controversial presenter had "crossed a line".